Serbia turns down UN resolution on Kosovo

Serbia has once again turned down the new U.S.-backed UN resolution for the disputed province of Kosovo saying it would only lead to the province's independence. As debate over the UN's plan for Kosovar independence continues, Serbian leaders are standing

On his coming to power, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica made it clear he wanted Kosovo to remain part of Serbia.

“Kosovo will not be independent and that fact cannot be changed by American officials with their daily statements advocating independence for the province,” he said in a statement given to the government-backed news agency, Tanjug.

At a news conference on Wednesday, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Agim Ceku, said he supports proposals put forward by the European Union.

“Kosovo is in Europe. Kosovo is a European problem today and it is going to remain this tomorrow if we do not find a way to solve it now. We are presenting a big challenge for Europe but we are a big opportunity for it as well. This is a unique opportunity to find a European solution,” Agim Ceku said.

Mr Ceku became Kosovo's Prime Minister in 2006 despite Serbia's protests which accused him of being a war criminal.

Official Moscow thinks the plan put forward by Martti Ahtisaari, granting Kosovo limited independence, is biased, and has warned it will use its veto right in the UN to block it.

But United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, says the plan has all the necessary elements. However, according to some Russian experts, the UN chief is failing to look at all the possible solutions to the issue of the province's future.

The Head of the Balkan Crisis Research Centre, Elena Guskova, says the Martti Ahtisaari plan is one-sided.

“Ban Ki-moon has taken a one-sided position; he continues the line which has become Martti Ahtisaari’s plan. The document is totally one-sided. Belgrade’s position has not been taken into account, either at the beginning of the negotiation process, or when the decision was being worked out,” Elena Guskova commented.

Later this month Belgrade is planning a parliamentary session to outline retaliatory measures against any countries which recognise Kosovo.